Corona Capital: U.S. imports 8 Dec 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: U.S. consumers’ demand for products used at home help boost China’s shipments.
Sinovac deal is placebo to governance woes 7 Dec 2020 A unit of the Chinese company making the Covid-19 jabs rolled out by Beijing has won fresh funds pointing to a $3 bln-plus valuation for the scandal-hit parent. It’s cold comfort for owners of the U.S. stock halted since 2019, and reminder that the vaccine lead may not pay off.
Corona Capital: Movie releases, Ads, Running 4 Dec 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: HBO Max uses its muscle on movie releases; advertising wins some and loses some; Brooks’ beast year.
Vaccine bottlenecks are main obstacle to recovery 3 Dec 2020 Rolling out Covid-19 jabs, as the UK will do next week, protects the vulnerable and lets authorities ease restrictions. But the logistical challenge means it could take a year to immunise two-thirds of the population. Other governments, too, will struggle with a sceptical public.
Healthcare IPO examines value of China’s big tech 2 Dec 2020 The unit of e-commerce giant JD priced its $3.5 bln offer at a reasonable 13 times sales. Virtual consultations and pharmacies are booming, supporting an official push for a healthy China. It’s a timely reminder that powerful internet platforms have valuable uses for Beijing.
AstraZeneca’s messaging warrants a review, too 27 Nov 2020 The $134 bln drug giant may do a new trial of its Covid-19 vaccine to clear up uncertainties over its effectiveness. Even if rivals’ look better, AstraZeneca has a good story to tell. Still, a share price dip this week reflects that overegging results is not where you want to be.
Corona Capital: Tiffany, Biden, Vaccines, Cash box 24 Nov 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: The cut-price jeweller issues less-than-sparkling results; the U.S. president-elect gets to start tackling the pandemic; Russia touts its discount vaccine; and UK firms gorge on shareholder-unfriendly equity issues.
Vaccine euphoria may be headed for a reality check 23 Nov 2020 AstraZeneca is the latest drugmaker to say its Covid-19 vaccine is effective. It’s good news and offers hope of a return to normal. But tricky logistics, supply constraints and a reluctant public could stall a mass rollout. Investors eyeing a quick recovery may be disappointed.
Corona Capital: U.S. airlines 20 Nov 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: The CDC issued a warning to Americans not to travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as Covid-19 cases surge. Airlines, once again, are going hat-in-hand to Washington.
Vaccine is inexact bonus for freight and freezers 13 Nov 2020 Pfizer’s Covid-19 shots must be kept at ultra-low temperatures. Distributing billions of doses is therefore a big opportunity for makers of super-freezers and delivery groups like DHL and UPS. The size of the windfall depends on whether the jabs bring long-lasting immunity.
Test giants have problems but a vaccine ain’t one 12 Nov 2020 Hopes of a Covid-19 remedy hit shares of diagnostic groups like Abbott and Roche. While inoculation may limit the need for mass testing, health workers and flyers still need protecting, as do anti-vaxxers. In a market worth at least $18 bln, the real challenge is meeting demand.
Chinese vaccine developer flags corporate disease 10 Nov 2020 Sinovac’s promising tests to confer Covid-19 immunity just hit a snag. Investors are stuck because the shares have been halted since last year amid an epic saga featuring a buyout attempt, boardroom coup and poison pill. These governance trials are worth watching closely too.
Pfizer jolt delivers taste of post-Covid markets 9 Nov 2020 The pharmaceutical giant said its vaccine may be over 90% effective. Stocks surged and bond yields rose. How long that level of immunity lasts isn’t clear, and inoculating enough people will take time. But the prospect of a return to normality is a potent market stimulant.
Corona Capital: GM earnings, Third-quarter readout 5 Nov 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: General Motors swerves around Covid-19 potholes; and U.S. companies look to have emerged from a difficult three months in better shape than expected.
Corona Capital: Friendly’s and Dunkin’ Donuts 2 Nov 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Two Massachusetts casual-dining chains change hands, one in bankruptcy. Friendly's found Covid-19 even more unfriendly than did Dunkin' Brands.
Corona Capital: Utah Jazz, Comcast, Kraft 29 Oct 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Utah Jazz’s owners sign off with a respectable return; Comcast shoots the light out on broadband; and Kraft rides the stay-at-home wave.
GE boss reaches milestone in Sisyphean trial 28 Oct 2020 Larry Culp managed to offset damage from grounded planes and declining power-sector demand with helpfully timed payments to report positive cash flow in the third quarter. Other challenges remain, from debt to GE’s insurance business. Then there’s the existential part.
Health insurers put Google market power to shame 27 Oct 2020 Anthem, Humana and UnitedHealth stocks have outperformed the tech giant's parent Alphabet over the past decade. U.S. insurers benefit from near-monopolies in many regions. Americans have few choices among hospitals too. Maybe Big Health is a better antitrust target than Big Tech.
Corona Capital: Binge-watching, Gaming 27 Oct 2020 Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Streaming viewers like to binge-watch, but they are being stingy; a fresh surge of Covid-19 cases could be a boon for gaming developers.
Bayer’s M&A comeback is reassuringly expensive 26 Oct 2020 The drugs-to-seeds company is buying gene therapy specialist Asklepios BioPharmaceutical for $4 bln. It’s a rich price, but the German group needs to offset patent expiries and shake off the disastrous Monsanto deal. Expanding in a rapidly growing sector offers some protection.